A Spanish farmer attacks the Moroccan royal family

The companies Nador Cott Protection, belonging to the King of Morocco, and Carpa Dorada, holder of the commercial exploitation rights of the Nadorcott mandarin variety for Spain and Portugal, were present at this hearing as parties supporting the CPVO, reports EFE.

The dispute dates back to August 22, 1995, when Jean Dean De Maistre filed an application for Community plant variety protection for the Nadorcott mandarin variety. In 1997, De Maistre transferred all his rights on Nadorcott to the company Nador Cott Protection. The mandarin variety obtained Community protection in 2004 issued by the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO).

In 2016, the company Eurosemillas requested the cancellation of this protection, but the CPVO rejected its request on the grounds that its arguments are not valid, recalling that this mandarin variety was already being cultivated under the name Afourer before becoming a protected variety. Unsatisfied, Eurosemillas filed an appeal with the CPVO in January 2020 which rejected it, considering it "unfounded".

After this second setback, Eurosemillas finally brought the case before the European Court of Justice on March 17, 2023 to request the annulment of the Community plant variety protection for the Nadorcott mandarin variety. For their part, Nador Cott, Carpa Dorada and the CPVO are requesting the outright dismissal of Eurosemillas’ request and the condemnation of the company.